A boy dies in the Maine woods. His death is judged an accident, but suspicions are raised. Set in the remote maple sugar camps of northwestern Maine, the story unfolds around the maple sugar industry and its producers.

Tragedy strikes the Geauga County Maple Festival when a local judge is found murdered. Although the event is crowded with townsfolk, one man says the wrong thing and ends up the countys most wanted. He is president of the maple festival, Fred Newman, and he suddenly finds himself under arrest by the Chief of Police. Fred is an attorney in the small town of Chardon, and although he may be a prime suspect, hes thankfully not alone. Several of the townspeople are called before the court, and Fred takes it upon himself to represent his fellow citizens. However, he soon seems even more suspicious when he represents another attorney, which only causes additional small town trouble. Despite the cloud that has settled over Geauga County, Fred continues his duties as President of the maple festival. He takes his responsibilities seriously, but how can he run a successful event when half the attendees think he might be a murderer? Itll take further investigation and the help of a local police officer to clear Freds name and save the famous celebration.

When bodies are found in the woods outside Evans Falls, Pennsylvania, FBI Inspector Griff Noble is assigned to investigate. During the investigation it’s discovered that the total count is thirty-five and all are little girls. As Griff investigates he finds the case hitting very close to home and threatens to uncover a family secret hidden for most of his life.

Twenty years after witnessing the violent disappearances of two companions from their small Dublin suburb, detective Rob Ryan investigates a chillingly similar murder that takes place in the same wooded area, a case that forces him to piece together his traumatic memories.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The remarkable true story of a man who lived alone in the woods of Maine for 27 years, making this dream a reality—not out of anger at the world, but simply because he preferred to live on his own. “A meditation on solitude, wildness and survival.” —The Wall Street Journal In 1986, a shy and intelligent twenty-year-old named Christopher Knight left his home in Massachusetts, drove to Maine, and disappeared into the forest. He would not have a conversation with another human being until nearly three decades later, when he was arrested for stealing food. Living in a tent even through brutal winters, he had survived by his wits and courage, developing ingenious ways to store edibles and water, and to avoid freezing to death. He broke into nearby cottages for food, clothing, reading material, and other provisions, taking only what he needed but terrifying a community never able to solve the mysterious burglaries. Based on extensive interviews with Knight himself, this is a vividly detailed account of his secluded life—why did he leave? what did he learn?—as well as the challenges he has faced since returning to the world. It is a gripping story of survival that asks fundamental questions about solitude, community, and what makes a good life, and a deeply moving portrait of a man who was determined to live his own way, and succeeded.